Sleeve connector

ABSTRACT

An implementation of a sleeve connector disclosed herein includes a base plate having an opening at the center for passing a threaded rod and a plurality of side plates, wherein each of the plurality of side plates includes an opening for passing a threaded bolt and wherein each of the plurality of side plates are connected at a bottom surface to the base plate by welding. In an alternative implementation, a plurality of beveled and threaded side plates of a sleeve connector are used to attach a first column with a second column.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of and claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/987,345 filed on May 1, 2014entitled “Sleeve Connector,” which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to building construction components and, moreparticularly, to connecting components used in commercial andresidential structures.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Otherfeatures, details, utilities, and advantages of the claimed subjectmatter will be apparent from the following more particular writtenDetailed Description of various implementations and implementations asfurther illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in theappended claims.

An implementation of a sleeve connector disclosed herein includes a baseplate having an opening at the center for passing a threaded rod and aplurality of side plates, wherein each of the plurality of side platesincludes an opening for passing a bolt and wherein each of the pluralityof side plates are connected at a bottom surface to the base plate bywelding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate prior art welded connections.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate prior art site applied splice plates.

FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art tubular columns connected using externalcapping plates.

FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art configuration connecting a column to afoundation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a prior art column-to-column connectionconfiguration.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an example column-to-foundation connectionconfiguration using a sleeve connector disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of an example sleeve connector disclosedherein.

FIGS. 8A-8D an alternative example column-to-column connectionconfiguration using a sleeve connector disclosed herein.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate an example column-to-beam connectionconfiguration using a sleeve connector disclosed herein.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate an example column-to-flange connectionconfiguration using a sleeve connector disclosed herein.

FIG. 11 is an alternative example column-to-column connectionconfiguration using a sleeve connector disclosed herein.

FIG. 12 is an alternative example configuration of a sleeve connectordisclosed herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example flowchart of operations for using thesleeve connector disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

In multi-story building construction it is necessary to join or splicestructural columns vertically to transmit vertical compressive anduplift forces and lateral forces from floor to floor. Welding, cappingplates, and external splice plates are typical approaches in makingthese connections.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate prior art welded connections that aretypically done in a welding shop to avoid site welding and siteinspections. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates that I-beams 102 and 104are connected to each other via a welding joint 110 and in analternative implementation, the I-beams 112 and 114 are connected toeach other via a welding joint 120. With welded column-to-columnconnections there is no adjustment tolerance once the welding iscomplete.

FIG. 2A illustrates prior art site applied splice-plates configuration.Specifically, flange columns 202 and 204 are connected using a pluralityof splice plates 210 a-210 d. Splice plates are generally site appliedand create an external sleeve at the column-to-column joint. This typeof connection is typical when connecting flange columns. FIG. 2Billustrates connecting flange column 212 using splice-plate 220 withflange columns 220 and 222.

FIG. 3 illustrates a prior art tubular columns configuration wheretubular columns 302 and 304 are connected using external capping plates310 and 312. The top column 302 and the bottom column 304 arrive at thejobsite with welded plates 310 and 312 and the column-to-columnconnection is made using bolts as illustrated in FIG. 3.

Exterior capping plates used to make vertical tubular column-to-column,column-to-foundation, or column-to-beams may have to be fastenedconcentrically (sharing the same center axis) to avoid overturningmoment or overturning of the structure under lateral (wind or seismicforces) and vertical loading. However, certain areas and conditionswithin a building make concentric connections between elementsdifficult.

For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a prior art configuration connecting acolumn 410 to a foundation 402. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates aconfiguration where columns are connected to foundations at corners.

FIG. 5 illustrates a prior art column-to-column connection configurationwhere a top column 502 is connected to a bottom column 504 using plates510 and 520 using bolts. The arrows 510 and 520 illustrate forcedirection.

Because the plates are not anchoring the column concentrically there isoverturning moment forces at the back of the column where there is noplate. At assemblies where these conditions occur welding additionalplates is typical to create a balance connection.

Additionally the welded plate approach to attaching columns creates acondition at the floor where the plates may not fit within the finishedenveloper of the wall (see FIG. 4) especially in light gauge framingsystems. This leads to the necessity to imbed the plates in the floorsystem to create a flush condition to install the finished floor, or forthe architect to design around the connection by wrapping columns.

The present technology discloses a method of using interior plates tocreate an interior sleeve to make vertical tubular column-to-foundation,tubular column-to-column and tubular column-to-beam connections.

This sleeve method disclosed herein creates a coaxial connection(balances forces concentrically) that occurs in columns where squareplates cannot be used. This method of making connections uses amechanical connection (bolted connection) eliminating the need forwelding external plates to tubular columns or the need for site weldingthat occurs where a site condition prevents a concentric connection. Thepresent technology also increases installation efficiency and safety andreduces material costs and waste.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate an example column-to-foundation connectionconfigurations using a sleeve connector disclosed herein. Specifically,FIG. 6A illustrates a sleeve connector 600 that may be used forconnecting columns to foundations. The sleeve connector 600 isconfigured using a base plate 604 that may be connected to a foundation.The base plate 604 is connected to a plurality of side-plates 602 a, 602b, 602 c, and 602 d (collectively referred to as “side plates 602”). Inone implementation, the side plates 602 are connected to the base plateusing welded joints 620. Note that the illustrated implementationdiscloses four side-plates 602, in an alternative implementation, analternative number of side-plates 602 may be provided. For example, atriangular sleeve connector may have three side plates 602, a hexagonalsleeve connector may have six side plates 602, etc.

Furthermore, while the sleeve connector 600 is illustrated to have asquare shape that may be used to connect a square column to afoundation, in an alternative implementation, a rectangular shape ofsleeve connector 600, or a sleeve connector 600 having other shapes,such as a triangle, hexagon, a circle, or other shapes may also beprovided. Each of the side plates 602 is provided with a side plateopening 610 that may be used to insert a bolt of another fasteningmechanism. Thus, respectively, each of the side plates 602A, 602B, 602C,and 602D includes a side plate opening 610A, 610B, 610C, and 610D,respectively. The internal surface of each of the openings 610 may bethreaded with receiving threads in a manner such that a threaded boltmay be threaded through the openings.

The sleeve connector 600 also includes a base opening 620 (partiallyshown) on base plate 604. The base opening may be a circular openingwith its internal surface threaded with receiving threads to receive abolt with external threads so that such bolt with the external threadscan be threaded through the base opening 620 to secure the sleeveconnector 600 to a foundation (not shown in FIG. 6A).

In one implementation, the sleeve connector 600 is configured such thatthe side plates 602 are not connected to each other. In other words,while each of the side plates 602 are attached to the base plate 604they are not directly attached to each other. Such a configurationallows the side plates to be somewhat flexible under pressure that maybe exerted from a threaded bolt that passes through the openings 610.Furthermore, such flexibility is also provided due to the structure ofthe sleeve connector 600 wherein the bottom edge of the side plates 602are attached by the welded joints 620 to the base plate 604, while thetop ends of the side plates 602 are unattached to any other component ofthe sleeve connector 600.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example connection 650 of a partial column 652 toa foundation 660 using a sleeve connector 614. In this implementation,the sleeve connector 614 may be securely connected to the foundation 660using a threaded bolt (not shown) passed through the center of the baseplate of the sleeve connector 614. The column 652 is illustrated toopenings on its sides (two such openings 654 a and 654 b are shown). Inthe illustrated implementation, the column 652 is attached to a sleeveconnector using Allen screws threaded through the openings 654.Specifically, Allen screws with hexagonal head is passed through theopening 654 and through the opening 610 of the sleeve connector sideplates to secure the column 652 to the sleeve connector 614. Thus, thesleeve connector 614 is used to connect the column 654 to a foundation.

In one implementation, the cross-sectional shape of each of the sideplates 602 is in the shape of a combination of a trapezoid and arectangle with a longer side surface of the trapezoid aligned with alonger side surface of the rectangle. FIG. 6C discloses a detaileddiagram of the cross-sectional shape 660 of the side plates 602 (in aplan view of one side plate 602). The cross-sectional shape 660 includesa rectangular section 662 towards the outer surface 664 of the sideplates 602 and a trapezoidal shape 666 towards the internal surface 668of the side plates 602. The internal surface 668 faces towards thecenter of the sleeve connector and it is opposite the external surface664. The trapezoidal shape 666 is defined by two beveled side surfaces670A and 670B (together referred to as the “beveled side surfaces”).Each of such beveled side surfaces 670 face at least one side surface ofanother of the side plates 602.

The positioning of the side plates 602 on the base plate may be variedbased on the thickness of the column that is attached to the sleeveconnector 600. For example, if the thickness of the column to beconnected to the sleeve connector 600 is relatively large, the distance630 between the outer edge of the base plate 620 and the outer edge ofthe side plates 602 is large. Alternatively, this distance 630 can berelatively small if the column attached to the sleeve connector 600 ismade of thinner side walls. In other words the distance 630 can beselected such that when the column is placed on the sleeve connector 600they both fit snugly. Providing the side plates 602 that are notconnected to each other allows such variable placement of the sideplates 602 on the base plate 620.

The cross-sectional shape 660 of the side plates 602 together with theconfiguration of the side plates wherein each of the side plates do nottouch each other provides a flexibility to the side plates underpressure exerted on the side plates 602 from any threaded bolt or otherconnecting element that connects the side plates 602 to a column such asthe column 652.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of an example assembly 700 of a sleeveconnector disclosed herein with a column. Specifically, the plan viewillustrates a sleeve connector 708 fastening a column 740 to afoundation 750. The sleeve connector 708 is illustrated to include fourside plates 702 a, 702 b, 702 c, and 702 d (collectively, 702). Each ofthe side plates 702 includes a threaded opening through which bolts 704a, 704 b, 704 c, and 704 d (collectively, 704) can be passed to fastenthe sleeve connector 708 to the column 740.

The sleeve connector 708 also includes a threaded opening 730 on abottom surface of the sleeve connector. Threaded bolt 720A, 720B, 720C,and 720D (collectively, 720) can be passed through the threaded opening730 to fasten the sleeve connector 708 to the foundation 750. A washer710 may be provided between the threaded bolt 720 and the threadedopening 730.

In the illustrated example, first the sleeve connector 708 is secured tothe foundation 750 using a threaded bolt passing through the threadedopening 730. In this case, the foundation 750 also has a threadedopening (not shown) therein to receive the threaded bolt that is alignedwith the threaded opening 730 of the sleeve connector 708. Once thesleeve connector 708 is secured with the foundation 750, the column 740is placed on top of the sleeve connector 708 such that the side walls ofthe column 740 encloses around or encircles the side plates 702 of thesleeve connector 708. The column 740 is placed around the sleeveconnector 708 such that threaded openings on the sides of the column 740are aligned with the threaded openings 702 of the sleeve connector 708.After arranging the column 740 around the sleeve connector 708, threadedbolts 720 are threaded through the openings of the column and therespectively aligned opening in the side plates 702 the sleeve connector708 to secure the column 740 to the sleeve connector 702 and thereforeto the foundation 750.

FIG. 8A illustrates a first column 802 that may be connected to one ofthe sleeve connector 800. The first column 802 is provided with threadedopenings in each of its side surface such that the first column 802 canbe securely attached to side plates of the sleeve connector 800 usingthreaded bolts.

FIG. 8B illustrates the sleeve connector 800 including side plates 810A,810B, 810C, and 810D (collectively, “side plates 810”). Each of the sideplates has a number of threaded openings 812 that can be threadedthrough using a threaded bolt. In one implementation, each of the sideplates 810 has a width that is determined based on the width of thecolumn, such as the column 802 that is to be attached using the sideplates 810. For example, the side plates 810 may be of a width such thatit provides maximum strength while also fits snugly on the internalsurface 806 of the first column 802 (and similarly on the internalsurface of a side wall of the second column 804). Furthermore, thethreaded openings 812 on the side plates are spaced such that they alignwith the threaded openings 808 of the first column 802 as shown by thedotted lines in the FIGS. 8A and 8B.

For example, FIGS. 8C and 8D illustrate connecting the first column 802to a second column 804 using the sleeve connector 800.

To fasten the columns 802 and 804 using the sleeve connector 800, thethreaded openings 814 of the columns 802 and 804 can be aligned with thethreaded openings 812 of the sleeve connector 800 and threaded bolts(not shown) can be passed there through.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate example column-to-beam connection configurations900 and 950 using a sleeve connector disclosed herein. Specifically,FIG. 9A illustrates a rectangular beam 902 that is attached to sleeveconnectors 910 and 920 via connector columns 904 and 906. In oneimplementation, the connectors 910 and 920 may be attached to therectangular beam 902 as well as to the sleeve connectors 910 and 920 viawelding. In an alternative implementation, an assembly of the connectorcolumn 904 and the sleeve connector 910 may be manufactured as a singleunit.

FIG. 9B illustrates fastening columns 960 and 970 to the beamrectangular 902 using the sleeve connectors 910 and 920. Specifically,threaded openings in the columns 960 and 970 are aligned with threadedopenings of the sleeve connectors 910 and 920 and a threaded bolt isused to fasten the columns to the sleeve connectors.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate an example column-to-I-beam connectionconfiguration 1000 using a sleeve connector disclosed herein.Specifically, FIG. 10A illustrates an I-beam 1002 that is attached tosleeve connectors 1004 and 1006. The sleeve connectors 1004 and 1006 maybe connected to flanges 1012A and 1012B of the I-beam 1002 by welding.FIG. 10B illustrates connecting columns 1008 and 1010 to the sleeveconnectors 1004 and 1006. For example, the threaded openings 1020 of thecolumns 1008 and 1010 are aligned to the threaded openings 1030 of thesleeve connectors 1004 and 1006 and threaded bolts (not shown) are usedto connect the sleeve connectors 1004 and 1006 with the columns 1008 and1010.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative example column-to-column sleeveconnector 1100. The sleeve connector 1100 includes an upper sleeve 1120and a lower sleeve 1130. Each of the upper sleeve 1120 and the lowersleeve 1130 includes a number of side plates. For example, the uppersleeve 1120 includes side plates 1122A, 1122B, 1122C, and 1122D(collectively, 1122) wherein the side plates 1122 are connected to a midplate 1140. For example, the side plates 1122 may be welded to the midplate 1140. Similarly, the bottom sleeve 1130 includes side plates1132A, 1132B, 1132C, and 1132D (collectively, 1132, not all shown)wherein the side plates 1132 are connected to a base plate 1140 by, forexample, welded joints. Each of the side plates 1122 and 1132 alsoincludes threaded openings that can be used to secure the sleeveconnector 800 to one ore more columns. In the implementation illustratedin FIG. 11, the distance between the outer edge of the side plates 1122,1132 and the outer edge of the mid plate 1140 is shown to be minimal,which contemplates using the sleeve connector 1100 with columns havingthin side walls. However, for connecting columns with relatively thickerside walls, the side plates 1122 and 1132 may be moved towards thecenter of the mid plate 1140 such that there is a snug fit of thecolumns to the sleeve connector 1100. The configuration of the sleeveconnector 1100 with the each of the side plates 1122 being separate fromeach other and each of the side plates 1132 also being separate fromeach other, allows such a variable configuration depending on thethickness of the side walls of the columns.

While the implementation disclosed in FIG. 11 illustrates each of theside plates 822 and 832 with only one threaded opening, in analternative implementation, two or three vertically aligned openings maybe provided.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative implementation of a sleeve connector1200 wherein each of the side plates 1202 has two threaded openings 1210and 1212 along the vertical length of the side plates.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example flowchart 1300 of operations for usingthe sleeve connector disclosed herein. An operation 1302 determines thewidths of the columns to be connected using the sleeve connectordisclosed herein. Subsequently, an operation 1304 manufactures thebeveled side plates of a sleeve connector with width that depends on thewidth of the columns to be connected. An operation 1306 generatesthreaded openings on the side plates and columns such that a singlethreaded bolt can be threaded through at least one side plate and a sidesurface of a column.

An operation 1308 aligns the beveled and threaded plate to the insidesurface of a first column such that the threaded openings of the beveledplate and the column are aligned. In one implelmentation, aligning theone or more threaded side plates with internal surface of the firstcolumn further comprises aligning the one or more threaded side plateswith internal surface of the first column such that the beveled side ofthe side plates faces towards center of the first column. In analternative implementation, aligning the one or more threaded sideplates with internal surface of the first column further comprisesaligning the one or more threaded side plates with internal surface ofthe first column such that the beveled edge of at least one of thethreaded side plates faces beveled edge of at least one of the otherthreaded side plates.

In an operation 1310 the aligned side plates are attached to the firstcolumn. Subsequently, in operations 1312 and 1314, the side plates thatare already attached to the first column are aligned to an insidesurface of a second column and the second column is fastened to thebeveled side plates using a threaded bolts threaded through the alignedopenings of the beveled side plates and the second column.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended. Furthermore, structuralfeatures of the different embodiments may be combined in yet anotherembodiment without departing from the recited claims. Although thepresent invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes maybe made in form and detail without departing from the scope of theinvention. The implementations described above and other implementationsare within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sleeve connector, comprising: a base platehaving an opening for passing a threaded bolt to securely attach thebase plate to a foundation; and a plurality of side plates attached tothe base plate, wherein one of more of the plurality of side platesincludes an opening for passing a threaded bolt.
 2. The sleeve connectorof claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of side plates is attached tothe base plate via welded joints.
 3. The sleeve connector of claim 1,wherein one of more of the side plates are not connected to any of theother side plates.
 4. The sleeve connector of claim 1, wherein across-section of each of the side plates is in the shape of acombination of a rectangle and a trapezoid with the longer side surfaceof the trapezoid aligned with a longer side surface of the rectangle. 5.The sleeve connector of claim 4, wherein the cross-section of each ofthe side plates includes beveled side surfaces facing beveled sidesurfaces of the other of the plurality of side plates.
 6. The sleeveconnector of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of side platesincludes one or more openings for passing a threaded bolt.
 7. The sleeveconnector of claim 1, further comprising a connector column welded tothe base plate and to a rectangular beam.
 8. The sleeve connector ofclaim 1, wherein the base plate is welded to a flange of an I-beam.
 9. Asleeve connector assembly comprising: an upper sleeve comprising aplurality of upper side plates, wherein each of the plurality of upperside plates includes at least one opening for passing a bolt therethrough and wherein each of the plurality of upper side plates isconnected to a first side of a mid plate; and a lower sleeve connectedto a second side of the mid plate, the second side being opposite thefirst side, wherein the lower sleeve comprising a plurality of lowerside plates, wherein each of the plurality of lower side plates includesat least one opening for passing a bolt there through and wherein eachof the plurality of lower side plates is connected to the second side ofthe mid plate.
 10. The sleeve connector assembly of claim 9, whereineach of the upper side plates is connected to a first side of the midplate via a welded joint and each of the lower side plates is connectedto a second side of the mid plate via a welded joint.
 11. The sleeveconnector assembly of claim 9, wherein one of more of the upper sideplates are not connected to any of the other upper side plates.
 12. Thesleeve connector of claim 9, wherein a cross-section of each of theupper side plates is in the shape of a combination of a rectangle and atrapezoid with the longer side surface of the trapezoid aligned with alonger side surface of the rectangle.
 13. The sleeve connector of claim9, wherein the cross-section of each of the upper side plates includesbeveled side surfaces facing beveled side surfaces of the other of theplurality of upper side plates.
 14. A sleeve connector assembly,comprising: an upper sleeve connector comprising a plurality of upperside plates, wherein each of the plurality of upper side plates includesan opening for passing a bolt and wherein each of the plurality of upperside plates is connected to an upper base plate; an upper connectorcolumn with a first end welded to the base plate; and a rectangular beamwelded to a second end of the connector column.
 15. The sleeve connectorassembly of claim 14, further comprising: a lower sleeve connectorcomprising a plurality of lower side plates, wherein each of theplurality of lower side plates includes an opening for passing a boltand wherein each of the plurality of lower side plates is connected to alower base plate; a lower connector column with a first end welded tothe lower base plate; and the rectangular beam welded to a second end ofthe lower connector column.
 16. A method of attaching a first structuralcolumn with a second structural column, the method comprising:determining width of an internal wall surface of the first column;manufacturing one or more beveled side plates wherein width of thebeveled side plates is determined based in the width of an internal wallsurface of the first column; generating threaded openings on the beveledside plates, the first column, and the second column; aligning the oneor more threaded side plates with internal surface of the first column;attaching the one or more threaded side plates with the first columnusing threaded bolts; aligning the one or more threaded side plates withinternal surface of the second column; and attaching the one or morethreaded side plates with the second column using threaded bolts. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein the one or more beveled side platescomprises four side plates.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein aligningthe one or more threaded side plates with internal surface of the firstcolumn further comprises aligning the one or more threaded side plateswith internal surface of the first column such that the beveled side ofthe side plates faces towards center of the first column.
 19. The methodof claim 18, wherein aligning the one or more threaded side plates withinternal surface of the first column further comprises aligning the oneor more threaded side plates with internal surface of the first columnsuch that the beveled edge of at least one of the threaded side platesfaces beveled edge of at least one of the other threaded side plates.